November/December 2018

Ontario’s patient ombudsman may be no more after speculation at Queen’s Park that Premier Doug Ford does not intend to fill the vacancy. The patient ombudsman is in charge of ensuring the voices of patients and caregivers at hospitals and long-term care homes are heard.

Concerned nurses and members of the public gathered in Sudbury on Nov. 12 for a town hall meeting hosted by the Ontario Health Coalition.

In hopes of recruiting more RNs to northwestern Ontario, the Seven Generations Education Institute in Thunder Bay is introducing two new nursing programs.

It may seem quite the hike from Rwanda to Western University in London, Ontario, but for nursing student Amy Olson, the trip takes minutes thanks to the technological wizardry of a professor, RN Richard Booth.

In my last column, I wrote about how RNAO – by design – helps nurses to take on leadership roles. I talked about how the association supports and fosters the aspirational goals of individual nurses.

One of the privileges of being  RNAO president is the chance to connect with members where they work or live. I met enthusiastic groups of RNs, NPs and nursing students during the fall tour, which the CEO and president take part in each year. 

This issue of the journal is the first of three that will invite you to contribute insight (beginning in February) that will influence the evolution of RNAO’s flagship publication.